Kuhnmuench leaves lasting legacy, high benchmark

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Mary Kuhnmuench has seemingly endless energy.

Leading up to her legal career, she worked full-time during law school, serving as a clerk for the Massachusetts attorney general for two years and working for the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The retired Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge taught business law on the weekends at Alverno College while she was an assistant city attorney for the city of Milwaukee.

And during her more than 20 years on the bench, Kuhnmuench has not only presided over hundreds of case; she has also spent a decade representing fellow judges as president of the Wisconsin Trial Judges Association.

Kuhnmuench also contributed to ongoing work to change how Milwaukee County handles domestic-violence cases. The county has since set an example for other states in that regard.

Kuhnmuench’s energy hasn’t waned in retirement. Her plans call for returning to teaching and producing a podcast.

“I have a voice and I want to continue to use it, but I want to use it in ways you’re not able to when you’re a judge,” she said.

One of the hallmarks of Kuhnmuench’s time on the bench has been the work she has done to help lawyers and other judges.

Deputy Chief Judge Mary Triggiano said Kuhnmuench is one of the reasons she is on the bench today. About 14 years ago, Kuhnmuench persuaded Triggiano, who was then working for Legal Action and was Kuhnmuench’s court commissioner, to put in her application for a vacancy on the bench.

Retired Chief Judge Jeffrey Kremers noted that Kuhnmuench often talks about people who have been her mentors, but Kuhnmuench always had someone under her wing, helping advance that person’s career.

“She is incredibly caring and generous with her time,” Kremers said. “I don’t know any other judge who in my career has been as interested in mentoring young lawyers and young judges.”

Another hallmark of Kuhnmuench’s career has been her dedication to others.

Kuhnmuench has volunteered her time to more than a dozen non-profit groups, including Milwaukee Jewish Family Services, which provides services to the homeless, addicts and the abused, and Milwaukee Homeless Veterans’ Initiative.

“She’s willing to just go above and beyond to do what she can to help people,” Triggiano said. “It’s been the resounding theme throughout her career, her community work, family and friends.”